Left-handed batsman Devdutt Padikkal expressed relief as Tim David’s unbeaten 70 off 25 balls propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a formidable 250/3 against Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2026 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Padikkal, who scored a quick half-century, acknowledged the need for acceleration during the innings. He commended Tim David’s exceptional performance, stating, “I’m probably glad that I got out because the way Tim went from there, it was incredible.”
Padikkal highlighted the challenging pitch conditions early on, emphasizing the importance of cautious batting. He mentioned that the pitch improved later, allowing for better batting conditions. Padikkal explained the strategy of preserving wickets for a strong finish, saying, “If we have wickets in hand in the last five, six overs, we can really maximize and that’s what we did.”
The cricketer found it challenging to set targets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, emphasizing the need to maintain momentum. Padikkal stressed the significance of self-belief in his approach, stating, “It’s important that I believed in myself that I can really go out there and play at a very high tempo.” He expressed his determination to enjoy the game and perform at a high level.
Reflecting on RCB’s record-breaking score of 250/3, Padikkal remained optimistic but cautious about the outcome, recognizing the unpredictability of cricket. He concluded by stating, “I think it’s a really good score. But again, anything can happen in cricket. We have to do our things right and hopefully we’ll get the win.”
